BCS Duke of Edinburgh scheme purchase new kit with Dow Corning help

Ms Rowe, Leanne Richards, Judith Sartor, Sean Murphy and Mr Hutton with current DofE participants and some of the fantastic new kit

The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is currently in its third year at Barry Comprehensive School. After two successful cohorts with a 100% completion rate, DofE leaders took the decision to expand the number of participants so that more pupils would have the opportunity to be involved in such a valuable extra-curricular activity. The number of boys now taking part in the DofE has more than doubled since the scheme began in 2013/14. With this increase in numbers, the demand for walking kit and expedition equipment has also risen, and even after conducting fundraising activities, the costs involved in putting together quality kit and equipment for the whole group meant that we still fell short of what we needed.

However, despite this dilemma and running out of ideas, we received an offer of support from the Dow Corning’s Community Relations Team in the Autumn Term. We were asked to come up with a ‘wish list’ that we would love to have in an ideal world to make the course the best that it can be and were delighted to receive over £1,000 from our community partner to purchase new kit and equipment. Now with more fundraising planned for the Spring Term to supplement this incredible donation, we are confident that this year’s DofE group will have everything required for their expeditions later on in the year.

Due to Dow Corning’s incredible generosity, we were extremely pleased to invite them into school before Christmas to personally thank them. Boys from previous DofE groups gave a presentation to explain the struggles that they have faced on their expeditions, the importance of good quality kit and equipment, and what the new purchases will mean to future DofE groups. Current DofE participants also met the visitors and were able to show them the sleeping bags, rucksacks and roll mats that have already been purchased with the money.

Duke of Edinburgh leaders, Miss Rowe, Mr Hutton, Mr Gamble and Miss Bowkett would like to again thank Dow Corning for their donation and are very much looking forward to future expeditions where this new kit and equipment will be put to full use.

Sean Murphy, Ms Rowe, Leanne Richards, Mr Hutton and Judith Sartor with successful DofE participants at the end of their presentation

Ms Rowe, Leanne Richards, Judith Sartor, Sean Murphy and Mr Hutton with current DofE participants and some of the fantastic new kit